British College of Canine Studies

Dog Behaviour Practitioner Diploma Level 4

Course Synopsis:
Devised by a practicing Behaviourist, this course is specifically for those who wish to become a Dog Behaviourist themselves, and don’t know where to start. Again, this course is unique for the same reasons that make the Dog Behaviour Diploma Course unique, least of all being the first of its kind to offer a ‘practical’ element in the form of real life consultations with clients and problem dogs. As with the Diploma Course, this course includes the study of both the Positive Reward Training & application, as well as the more physical world of dog behaviour between dogs.

Find yourself immersed in the debate of topics such as pack structure, appeasement societies, the need for an authority figure, and the relevant scientific studies. Far from a course that exists to merely educate from one perspective, this course will challenge everything you thought you knew about dogs and dog psychology, calling on the work of Fisher, Scott and Fuller, Bruce Fogle, Cesar Millan, Ray and Lorna Coppinger, Stephen Budiansky, Ian Dunbar and many more leading experts.

Additional units are designed to not only cover training and behaviour, but the practical aspects of setting up in business, conducting a consultation, follow up sessions, monitoring progress, the law, health & safety, and your role as Dog Behaviourist, Teacher, Trainer, Mentor and Coach.

No other course better prepares you for the real world of being a Dog Behaviourist. The practical element is not optional (unless studying overseas) and consists of an actual consultation. You will be expected to make suggestions, contribute, watch and observe.

On completion, the student will…
Have learned the difference between how dogs learn, and how dogs behave.

Have a greater understanding of both dog training and dog psychology.

Have examined the most recent studies and debates in the world of dog behaviour and training, and encouraged to formulate their own opinion based on experience and research.

Have a better understanding of key subjects such as: socialisation, communication, the origins of the dog and evolution.

Have a better understanding of the importance of the role of the owner, human moods, temperament, personality, morality and their affects on the dog.

Be able to recognise key body language, gestures and signals of the dog.

Be able to diagnose classic behavioural problems and formulate possible solutions, calling on both dog training and dog psychology.

Have a greater understanding of what is required for a dog to be happy, healthy, well behaved, and mentally balanced. In essence, what it truly is to be a good dog owner.

Have an understanding of the daily running of a dog behaviour practice including time management, the law, health and safety, marketing, insurance, code of conduct, record keeping and referrals.

Be able to perform a real life consultation with clients and their dog, evaluate, diagnose, and implement solutions and techniques both relevant and suitable to the dog and owner.

 
Course Content:

INTRODUCTION

UNIT ONE - The History of Dogs

UNIT TWO - Genetics of the Dog’s Mind, Nature or Nurture? The Brain, The Senses

UNIT THREE - Breed Difference - Are all dogs the same?

UNIT FOUR - Hormones, Diet & Health – Their Influence on Behaviour

UNIT FIVE - Communication, Pheromones, Body Language

UNIT SIX - Early Learning, Mum and Pack’s Influence, Socialization, Habituation

UNIT SEVEN - How Dogs Learn, Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Punishment etc.

UNIT EIGHT - Social Structure of the Dog, New Understandings Examined -  Dominance, Pack Structure

UNIT NINE - Aggression In All Its Forms

UNIT TEN - Fears, Phobias & Anxiety

UNIT ELEVEN - The Owner Influence, Energy, Personality, Compatibility

UNIT TWELVE - The Walk, Feeding, Routine & Structure

UNIT THIRTEEN - Case Studies, Diagnosis, Evaluation, Proposals & Implementation

UNIT FOURTEEN – H&S, The Law, Code Of Conduct, Insurance, Advertising, Record Keeping, Time Management

UNIT FIFTEEN – Consultations, Follow Ups, Progress

OPTIONAL PRACTICALS - Real World Assessment With Actual Consultations

The Practical:
This unique and exciting element gives you an opportunity to put into practice, much of what you will have learned. You will demonstrate an understanding of basic dog training and its principles, handling skills, diagnosis of problem behaviours, the ability to communicate with the owner, conduct a consultation, and implement solutions toward the improvement of the dog-owner relationship and problem behaviours.

The practical element is optional and will take place upon completion of all previous units. Every effort will be made to organise the practical local to you, but some travel may be involved. The practical will be arranged to suit your availability. 

Q. Is the course accredited?
A. To answer this accurately, prospective students first need to understand what accreditation is! Few courses are genuinely accredited to a level within the QCF (Qualifications and Credits Framework). Almost all accredited courses are described as accredited when in fact it's the the provider that is accredited, not the course. This means the course content is assured and of good quality, but the piece of paper you receive at the end of it is not a nationally recognised qualification. No nationally recognised qualification is required to be a Dog Behaviour Practitioner, however, accreditation has been sought to give students the reassurance of quality, and students will receive both their Diploma and the accrediting body's certificate (NOCN - National Open College Network) .. 

Q. How long does the course take?
A. One unit per week is typical. A unit per day is not impossible, but some units are larger than others. Busy people may only manage one unit per month. On average, the course takes 12 months to complete, including practical.